11/07/2025
What are the John Hopkins Patient Need Groups (PNGs)?
Patient Need Groups categorise patients into different groups based on the complexity and intensity of their healthcare needs rather than just their medical conditions. Instead of focusing solely on a diagnosis (like diabetes or heart failure) it takes into account a broader range of health characteristics a patient may have. To begin with, we will roll out PNG segmentation to those patients with highest needs, and you may therefore not find a PNG score in your NHS app unless you would be categorised as PNG 10 or 11.
These groups consider factors like the number of chronic conditions, the severity of illness, and the level of support a patient might need. The patients in a particular group have similar patterns of need.
For example:
Red PNG 10 and 11 = complex care needs, patients with multiple chronic conditions requiring regular monitoring and a coordinated care approach.
Amber PNG 5 – 9 = stable chronic conditions, patients with chronic conditions that are well-managed and require occasional support to maintain their stability.
Green PNG 1-4 = healthy, patients without significant health issues who require less intervention and could benefit from preventative care.
As patient needs change over time, their categories changes with them. PNG numbers therefore offer an indication of a patient’s background health, at a point in time.
